In Nigeria, Autism Spectrum Disorder seems like a faraway condition you only hear about in movies and dramas. But it is more common than you think. A study revealed that about 600,000 children in Nigeria are autistic which means about 1 in 200 children in Nigeria are on the Autism Spectrum.

Therefore, it is very important that you know what Autism Spectrum Disorder is, its signs and how it can be treated.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

This is a neurological/ brain condition that affects how a person talks, learn and relate with other people. Cleveland defines it as a difference in brain functioning that affects how a person communicates and interacts with others. According to WHO, It is a disorder that affects 1 in 100 children globally.

ASD is different for different people i.e there are different ranges of symptoms and degree of seriousness.

While some autistic persons might have difficulty speaking, others might not. Some may require support and may not be able to live independently and others may be able to live on their own without support.

Some autistic persons can also be highly intelligent while some may not be. This is the reason why it is called a spectrum.

Autism is a lifelong condition i.e people with autism will have to live with it forever. However, early support and intervention can go a long way.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Autism Spectrum Disorder is 4 times more common among boys than girls. It can be diagnosed as early as when a child is 2 years old.

Also, it should be noted that your looks, background, diet, parenting style, etc., has no impact on whether you are autistic or not.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Test: How Is ASD Diagnosed?

It is very important that an ASD test or diagnosis is carried out early because early intervention will go a long way in helping an autistic person manage their symptoms and live a normal life.

An ASD test can be done as early as when a child is 2 years old and even younger. Unfortunately, most ASD patients are diagnosed when they are older which may prevent them from enjoying the benefits of early intervention.

To diagnose ASD, specialists/pediatricians will ask the child some certain questions and interact with them. They might also refer him/her to an ASD specialist for further observations and screening.

The most common criteria for diagnosis are the DSM-5-TR and the ICD-11.

Causes of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

There is no scientifically proven cause of ASD. However, there are risk factors i.e factors that can increase a child’s risk of being autistic. They are:

  • Late/early child birth.
  • Gestational diabetes
  • Family history e.g having a family member with ASD, etc.

Signs and Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder

While the signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder vary depending on the person, there are a few common signs to tell if someone is autistic. They are:

  1. Repetition of certain movements/sounds.
  2. Repeated patterns of behavior and activities.
  3. Avoidance of eye contact.
  4. Lack of interest in the people or things around them.
  5. Difficulty understanding social cues and rules like sarcasm, humor, etc.
  6. Difficulty/slowness in speaking.
  7. Strong interest and knowledge of unusual subjects like trains, maps, numbers, etc.
  8. Sticking to a particular routine or arrangement and refusing to change it.
  9. Hyper sensitivity to certain sounds/noises like alarms, busy streets, etc.
  10. Indifference to other people’s emotions.
  11. Resistance to certain levels of physical contact.

Note:

  1. As mentioned earlier, ASD is different for each person. The signs or symptoms an autistic person shows depends on where they are in the autism spectrum. Also, the symptoms experienced can change overtime as they get older.
  2. If an autistic person is diagnosed early and receives early intervention, they may experience lower degrees of these symptoms.
  3. A person could show some of these symptoms and not be autistic. This is why a ASD test or evaluation must be carried out by a qualified healthcare professional.

Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder

There is no specific treatment of ASD since it is not a disease. It cannot be cured, However, it can be managed.

Once an autistic person especially a child is evaluated/tested as autistic by a pediatric psychologist or child neurologist or a healthcare provider specializing in ASD, the next step is to help them manage the symptoms so it doesn’t affect their daily life.

Here are some ways to manage it:

  1. Therapy: Therapy is very useful for autistic persons especially those who experience anxiety, depression, etc. It will help them to recognize and manage their emotions like anger, anxiety, etc. It will also help them learn coping strategies to handle uncomfortable situations or unexpected changes.

An example of a therapy procedure useful for an autistic person is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Other therapies they can try are:

  • Speech Therapy/ Speech-Language Therapy- This will help them improve their communication skills like pronouncing words, vocabulary, staying on topic in conversations, etc.
  • Family Therapy: Autism doesn’t just affect the autistic person but also their families. Through family therapy, the parents and siblings will learn about autism and how they can communicate with their child or family member.
  1. Treatment of Conditions Occurring Alongside Autism Spectrum Disorder: There are certain conditions that autistic peoples experience in addition to the symptoms of ASD such Anxiety disorder, Bipolar disorder, ADHD, etc.

Treating these conditions will also go a long way in helping an autistic person to manage their symptoms.

  1. Medications- Autism Spectrum Disorder has no cure. However, there are medications that can be used to manage and reduce specific symptoms like mood swings, anxiety, etc. Examples of them are antidepressants, simulants, etc.

These medications should only be used at the recommendation of a healthcare provider as some of them have side effects.

  1. Social Skills Training (SST) – This is to help children with ASD learn to interact in a social setting and handle social interactions. It helps them to understand social cues, facial expressions, body language, etc.
  2. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): This is an approach based on the principles of behavior psychology which helps children with ASD to understand and improve their social, communication, academic and living skills through positive reinforcement. Although it takes time, it has long-lasting benefits.

Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD

Many people tend to confuse ASD with ADHD (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity Disorder but they are two different conditions. Autistic persons struggle with interacting normally and understanding social behaviors. However, persons with ADHD can be social but they just struggle with the need for constant activity and are easily distracted due to their hyperactive nature.

Can Autism Spectrum Disorder Be Cured?

No. Autism is a brain condition not a disease. So it cannot be cured. However, the symptoms can be managed so an autistic person can live a normal and quality life. Through early treatment and support, this can be done.

Conclusion

ASD is not a disease. It just means that the person’s brain works differently from most people. Through early diagnosis and management, their symptoms can be reduced and they may be able to lead quality lives.